Buy a Home

There’s no denying that Austin is in a red-hot housing market right now. The question on everyone’s mind as rent and home prices continue to rise is: should I rent or buy? Here are some key things to consider as you proceed with this decision. Down Payments One of the biggest arguments we hear from people wanting to buy is that they just can’t find the money for a down payment. Down payments...

Buying a home virtually is the new standard, thanks to the pandemic. Virtual and video tours replaced open houses, and buyers bought homes without viewing them in person. Here are two crucial tips to find your dream home virtually this year.  Tip #1 to Finding Your Dream Home Virtually: Be Open-Minded Be realistic about your expectations for your future dream home and how it appears on a...

You’re a new homeowner now. Congratulations! It’s not always the easiest or cheapest path, but owning property is exciting! To save yourself time and money, don’t believe these five myths new homeowners receive:  1. Worry about maintenance later. Wrong! Your home budget should include a maintenance and repair fund. A majority of homes will require a little work before becoming move-in ready....

If buying a home is one of your goals this year, we’ll tell you how to go from renter to homeowner. We’ll cover the factors you should consider before saving for a down payment and buying a home.  Factor #1: How Much to Save for a Down Payment? To buy a home and receive favorable financing, it’s best to put down a 20% down payment on the house you purchase. It helps reduce your loan...

Bidding wars greatly influenced home prices last year. They typically happen when there’s a lack of inventory because multiple buyers want the same property, so they compete against each other by making more attractive bids, which drives up home prices. Bidding wars have continued throughout the pandemic and are predicted to continue in a post-pandemic market in 2022. Home prices are slowly coming down,...

If you’re ready to buy a home, look no further!  It’ll be an exciting time taking such a significant life change. Friends and family will offer their advice, but what worked for them might not work for you and the real estate market now. Here are some common home buying myths you’ll hear that aren’t true and will cost you time and money. Home Buying Myth #1: You need 20% for a down...

Last blog post, we covered an introduction to home improvement loans, an FHA 203(K) loan, an FHA Title 1 Property Improvement Loan, and the advantages and disadvantages of each one. In this post, we’ll continue the conversation by discussing the four other options: Home Equity Loans (HEL), Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), Personal Loans, and Credit Cards.  Types of Home Improvement Loans Home...

In today’s real estate market, where buyers compete with several other buyers, some are trying to get an edge by forfeiting the home inspection. This can be a problem if the home has structural damage, as the buyer wouldn’t know about it until later. Whether you’re a buyer or investor looking to improve your already existing property, here is an introduction to home improvement loans. We’ll cover...

You beat the intense competition in this seller’s market and have bought a house. Congratulations! Now comes the fun, and sometimes expensive part, moving in and making your home move-in ready. Here are four projects you should do ASAP to get your home move-in ready and how to keep it affordable. Move-in Ready Project #1: Change or Replace Locks This move-in ready project is about safety first since...

Buying a home is a massive milestone for many people, and it’s one you should be able to achieve. We understand that between closing costs and a 20% down payment, it’s a significant investment, and sometimes, no matter how much you save, it won’t be enough. Especially now that the median sales price has almost increased by 50%! But we’re here to reassure you that you can still buy a home without a...